John Finnie

28 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide to MSPs in obtaining responses from ScotRail, which is not responding to their requests for information.   

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government expects ScotRail to respond to MSP correspondence in as quick a time frame as possible. If an instance arises where ScotRail fail to acknowledge the receipt of correspondence then my officials at Transport Scotland can assist to ensure…

28 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of engagement it expects ScotRail to have with MSPs.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: ScotRail actively engages with MSPs on a range of different topics, from matters that affect their specific constituencies, such as timetable changes, as well as wider areas of interest. The Scottish Government encourages ScotRail to engage with MSPs, other s…

28 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on active tourism of existing cycle capacity on ScotRail trains

Answer · Humza Yousaf: A study (Train2Ride), commissioned by HITRANS, and part funded by Transport Scotland, was conducted in July 2017 to establish the existing level of demand for on-train cycle carriage on ScotRail services on the West Highland line and on Caledonian Sleeper ser…

28 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what regard there is in its existing rail contacts for the carriage of pedal cycles, and what assessment it has made of whether the existing and projected needs of cyclists are being met.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The ScotRail Franchise Agreement requires that, so far as is reasonably practical and subject to the availability of appropriate space on trains, ScotRail ensure that reasonable facilities for the transport of bicycles is made available, to passengers. It is …

22 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-14173 by Humza Yousaf on 15 February 2018, whether it has conducted, or will conduct, assessments on the impact that the current prioritisation of clearing and salting pavements and cycle ways has in relation to (a) gender and (b) poverty.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As stated in S5W-14173, Transport Scotland will continue with research to better understand the economic and welfare impacts resulting from severe weather disruption to the trunk road network, alongside the cost benefit analysis of investing in the winter ser…

22 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in preparing a public sector bid for the ScotRail franchise.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I am currently considering the suitability of existing public sector bodies to bid for the franchise contract and the steps required to create a new public sector body, if it is necessary to do so. Though complex, we are making good progress with the work an…

22 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the devolution of the functions of Network Rail.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has been pressing the UK Government for some time now for the full devolution of the Network Rail Scotland route. Strengthened accountability to the Scottish Parliament and improved governance arrangements will improve efficiency and t…

22 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13816 by Humza Yousaf on 25 January 2018, when each of the trunk road operating contracts is due to expire and whether it has taken up an option to extend any of these and, if so, by how long.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The operating company (OC) contracts in the SW Unit (Scotland Transerv) and NW Unit (BEAR Scotland) have been extended by approximately  ? 2 years. Therefore four of the OC contracts (NW, NE, SE and SW Units) are due to expire in August 2020, with the Forth …

21 Feb 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provision is in place to support the mental and physical wellbeing of police officers.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Police Officers have access to a wide range of support services when they require advice and assistance in relation to their mental and physical wellbeing. Police Scotland launched the "Your Wellbeing Matters" scheme, on 18 September 2017, and has introduced…

20 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps VisitScotland has taken to develop the conservation of biodiversity, and what progress the agency is making on complying with the biodiversity on all public bodies, which has been set out by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As a public body, Visit Scotland is required to report every 3 years on what it has done in line with its remit to support biodiversity and will publish its report on the VisitScotland website. VisitScotland also works with businesses through its Quality Ass…

20 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment by VisitScotland in the paper, Adapting the UK to Climate Change, that “wildlife tourism brings much needed income to some of the less affluent regions in Scotland”, what analysis it has conducted on the potential impact of unsustainable development on wildlife t…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: VisitScotland is not a regulatory body nor a statutory consultee on matters of nature conservation and has therefore has not conducted any research in this area. As a public body however, it is obliged to report on the activity it carries out to support biodi…

15 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government in light of the reported concerns regarding the condition of trunk roads in the Highlands and Islands, what action it is taking to ensure that the contract for maintenance is being followed and is sufficiently robust.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Trunk Road Operating Company contracts are managed on a day to day basis by Transport Scotland’s Network Maintenance team, with a dedicated Operating Company Manager who oversees a Network North and a Network South branch. Our Network Maintenance staff ov…

13 Feb 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding safeguarding the value of Scottish university staff pensions.

9 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much profit the operator of North Link Ferries has made in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Northern Isles Ferry Service Public Service Contract was operated by NorthLink Ferries Ltd, a subsidiary of David MacBrayne Ltd, from 6 July 2006 to 4 July 2012. Their published profit and loss statements can be accessed from the link below;  https://beta…

8 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what Skills Development Scotland’s annual budget is for administering the Transition Training Fund.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The TTF is a £12 million fund, launched by the First Minister in 2016, and will be delivered over a three year period. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is responsible for the delivery of the TTF which is provided by a dedicated team of careers advisers, adm…

8 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the Transition Training Fund in facilitating the transfer of employment and skills between offshore oil and gas and offshore renewable energy.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Applicants can apply for funding support from the Transition Training Fund in any sector. Funding is not dependent on a secured job outcome, however applicants seeking support will be required to demonstrate:they are actively seeking alternative employment an…

8 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications there have been to the Transition Training Fund to train for employment in the offshore (a) renewable energy and (b) decommissioning sector, and how many awards have been granted.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Transition Training Fund individual route, which enables applicants to apply directly for funding of up to £4,000 aligned to evidenced job opportunities has received:As of the 9 February, 724 applications supporting training in Renewables, of which 300 ha…

8 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average time is for processing an application to the Transition Training Fund.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Skills Development Scotland calculates the average time for processing an application to the Transition Training Fund (TTF) from the date the application is submitted, through to the date the funding is approved. Currently the average timeline for processing …

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on who was consulted regarding the decision by Caledonian Sleeper to postpone plans to end the standard class fare, which allowed people not travelling together to share a cabin, pending the introduction of the new fleet.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The decision to postpone its plans to end the "share with a stranger" fare option was for Caledonian Sleeper to make. My understanding is that it was able to do so due to its greater confidence over the date of entry into service of the new trains.

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Caledonian Sleeper will be an “iconic Scottish railway journey, available to all - from back-packers to business travellers”, as highlighted in the Transport Scotland publication, Caledonian Sleeper Rail Franchise, and what its position is on whether travell…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Caledonian Sleeper will continue to offer a quality product for those on a limited budget as well as for business travellers. The new trains will contain the same seating capacity as the current trains and those choosing to book reclining seats on the new…

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise agreement regarding honouring Network Rail cards continues to apply.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement requires the provision of discounts to holders of Disabled Persons' Railcards, 16-25 Railcards, Senior Railcards and Scottish Youth Railcards. Holders of Family and Friends Railcards and of Two Together Railcards als…

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the provision of reclining seats was part of the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise agreement and, if so, whether it will be complied with.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Yes, the provision of reclining seats is included within the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement and, yes, this provision will be complied with on the new trains.

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Caledonian Sleeper Franchise references to pod flat beds will be complied with.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The new Caledonian Sleeper trains will not contain pod flat beds. The reason for this is that simulated tests, conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory, revealed concerns over the crashworthiness of the proposed design in the event of a collision at hig…

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise agreement has been subject to any alterations and, if so, who was consulted, and what alterations, including financial adjustments, were made.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Variations have been agreed in relation to rolling stock design and aspects of passenger service. There is no requirement for consultation; Variations are agreed between Parties to the Franchise Agreement. None of the Variations has resulted in a negative …

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether couples with National Rail cards who share a cabin on a sleeper service (a) are and (b) will continue to be eligible for a concessionary fare.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Currently, couples holding "Friends and Family" or "Two Together" Railcards are eligible for a third off sleeper fares. On the new trains, tickets will be sold on a "per room" basis and all couples, whether holding a Railcard or not, will effectively be recei…

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the National Rail booking system not allowing a National Rail card discount for people who are not travelling together but who share a cabin on a sleeper service.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Holders of 16-25, Disabled Adult, HM Forces and Senior Railcards are currently able to obtain a discount when booking a berth in a shared room. Holders of these Railcards will be able to obtain a discount on the new sleeper trains when booking a room for solo…

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on who was consulted on the plans by Caledonian Sleeper to end the standard class fare, which allowed people not travelling together to share a cabin.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Prior to issuing the Invitation to Tender for the current ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises, the Scottish Government conducted a comprehensive consultation exercise with its stakeholders. Caledonian Sleeper states that it has since conducted its own,…

2 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of views reportedly expressed during the recent HiTrans conference that strangers sharing a cabin is not appropriate, which is possible on the Caledonian Sleeper, what the implications are for users of North Link Ferries, given both services are operated by the same company, Se…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are no implications.Serco NorthLink Ferries offer passengers a range of sleeping options when travelling to/from the Northern Isles. Options include sharing a cabin or booking a cabin based on sole occupancy. Serco NorthLink Ferries has no plans to alte…

1 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-13520 and S5W-13948 by Keith Brown on 16 January and 1 February 2018 respectively, whether the cabinet secretary plans to examine the risk register for each body in the future and, if so, (a) when and (b) whether it will publish the findings.

Answer · Keith Brown: S5W-13520.

1 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-13520 and S5W-13948 by Keith Brown on 16 January and 1 February 2018 respectively, whether the cabinet secretary has ever examined the risk register for each body and, if so, (a) when and (b) whether it will publish the findings. 

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer given previously to question S5W-13520.